Now Live : 2025 Global Most Loved Workplaces® — See the Top 100 Companies
The 2025 America’s Top 100 is live. See the list →
The 2025 America’s Top 100 is live. See the list →
Hey folks! It’s a pleasure to have you join us for another insightful episode of The Leader Show with Lou Carter. With us today is David Kessler, CEO of CohnReznick, an advisory, assurance, and tax firm that aids in reducing tax obligations for private businesses and individuals.
In this episode, Lou and David discuss CohnReznick’s leadership and its recognition as a Most Loved Workplace®. So, without any further delay, let’s jump in!
Lou gets the ball rolling by congratulating David Kessler on his long career at CohnReznick and asks him what makes the company a “Most Loved Workplace®”. David highlights that the organization cares about its employees and clients and fosters collaboration through various communities within the organization.
CohnReznick hires hundreds of people every year, including new graduates and lateral positions. David emphasizes that its strength lies in the expertise of its employees in various industries and specialties and the diversity within the firm. Despite the perceived lack of interest in accounting, he believes it is an exciting career with many opportunities, and he is just one example of this within the company.
According to David, new employees joining the company get to learn technical skills and gain industry expertise while also managing engagements and working with various teams and clients.
CohnReznick encourages employees to have a wide range of experiences, including elective opportunities in technology, recruiting, marketing, learning and development. David expresses the satisfaction of working with different clients, including large public companies and startups, and the support from mentors and colleagues for personal and professional growth.
When asked how a junior employee can find success at CohnReznick, David highlights the key to success is to care about clients and find solutions that exceed their expectations. For him, an ideal employee should also care about their colleagues and support their initiatives.
He describes the company’s pyramid values, which include: a passion for excellence, yearning for knowledge, respect for everyone, adaptability, making a difference, integrity, and developing opportunities. These values guide everything CohnReznick does and contribute to creating a special place.
Moving on, the speakers discuss the company’s programs for young professionals, including Focus Fridays and on-the-job learning. Like everyone else, CohnReznick had to adapt and reinvent itself because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has successfully used video technology and various platforms to maintain relationships and connectivity with colleagues and clients.
Focus Fridays were created to give employees time for reflection and uninterrupted work, and the company also prioritizes mental health with various programs and solutions. Presently, it operates under a hybrid work environment and encourages collaboration in person when valuable.
Next, David talks about how CohnReznick values community involvement and encourages employees to spend time outside of work contributing to various community activities. The company supports lower-middle-income families by making lunch packs for school-going children and offering various other community services.
Lou notes that committing to the community and helping others is not only a wise choice but also the right thing to do. David agrees, stating that integrity is one of the most important characteristics of the advisory profession.
CohnReznick also values forward thinking, creativity, drive, hard work, and fun, which helps employees build strong personal connections at the workplace. David mentions that it is not uncommon for them to go on vacations together and enjoy spending quality time outside of work.
Lou is curious about what type of employee CohnReznick is looking for and how one can apply for a position in the company. David mentions that CohnReznick is looking for talented, motivated, driven professionals from a wide range of backgrounds who want to make a difference and know how to work with a team.
The company offers a variety of opportunities in assurance and tax, advisory services, technology, cybersecurity, ERP systems implementation, data analytics, finance, valuation, transaction advisory services, bankruptcy, litigation, and government services. He encourages young professionals to seek out CohnReznick as there are enormous opportunities in the accounting profession that offer a new job every month, quarter, or year.
David strongly believes that working at CohnReznick offers exposure and experience across different industries and sizes of clients, traveling across the country and the world, meeting new people, and learning new skills. On that note, he advises young professionals to consider a career in accounting as it can create opportunities for a lifetime.
Moving on, the speakers discuss the importance of creating an inclusive and welcoming work environment where employees feel a sense of belonging and make an impact. They compare their experiences working at different companies and highlight the unique culture of CohnReznick that values inclusiveness.
David mentions the company’s commitment to helping employees develop their careers and find opportunities to make a difference both within the company and in the community. He also mentions taking pride in the company’s growth and expansion while maintaining a strong sense of community and family.
When asked about his vision for CohnReznick, David highlights that it is to continue expanding the firm’s geographies, services, and partnerships. He wants to grow in areas where the firm is not currently actively operating, such as the South East and the middle parts of the country, and to expand on the West Coast.
He wants to understand what clients need the most within the industries they practice in and continue to build out their services. David Kessler looks forward to creating life-changing experiences for his employees and clients and making CohnReznick the best accounting and advisory firm that it can be.
Lou and David go into much greater detail throughout this conversation. Thank you for listening!
